John Arlott : definition of John Arlott and synonyms of John Arlott (English) 22 External links Early life Arlott was born in 1914, the son of William John Arlott and Nellie Arlott, at Cemetery Lodge, Chapel Hill, Basingstoke in Hampshire , and spent his early years living in the cemetery lodge. [1] He attended Fairfields Primary School in Basingstoke before winning a scholarship to Queen Mary's Grammar School and expressed an early interest in the local cricket matches. [2] In 1926 he watched England and Australia play at The Oval , becoming a fan of Jack Hobbs , and later watched Sussex face Lancashire . [2] After leaving school he spent 4 years working in a mental hospital as a records clerk (1930–1934) and then 12 years as a policeman (1934–1946) becoming a member of the Southampton County Borough Police Force, which later merged with other forces to become the Hampshire Constabulary at the outbreak of war in 1939. [1] He progressed to the rank of sergeant , while stationed at Southampton .

Cricket Player He played cricket at club level but would spend most of his free summer time following the Hampshire team both home and away. As a result of his regular support he became known to the team and this led to his one and only brief playing exposure to the first class game. He was watching Hampshire play Kent at Canterbury in August 1938 when they discovered they would be short of a twelfth man for the following game. Being both willing and available young Arlott was co-opted and he travelled with the team to Worcester . In fact Hampshire had had to use three substitute fielders when two of their XI were injured and Cecil Paris , their captain, suffered a puncture on his way to the ground. The following day, the match report in the Western Daily Press named one of the substitutes as "Harlott", a local policeman and a Hampshire member. It was quite a memorable day in the field, with the Nawab of Pataudi scoring an elegant undefeated century for Worcester in one of his very rare appearances on the county circuit. The match ultimately fizzled out as just a tame draw with Hampshire scoring 313 and 91 - 2 and Worcester 413 - 3 declared.

It was his one and only appearance in a first class cricket fixture and it proved to be the pinnacle of his playing career. In 1980 he was asked whether having played first-class cricket on a regular basis might have provided him with greater insight as a cricket writer. He replied "My word, I know what the problems are. I've failed at everything." [3] Broadcasting BBC debut After being invited to make a public radio address to George VI on VE Day , 1945, he attracted the attention of the BBC, [2] and of John Betjeman , who became a mentor for Arlott's poetic ambitions. [1] Arlott subsequently joined the BBC as the Overseas Literary Producer the following year. He was asked by the Head of the BBC Overseas Service, Donald Stevenson, to commentate on the warm-up games of India 's tour of England in 1946. [2] Arlott's commentary "went down very well in India" and he was invited to continue to commentate on further matches, including the Test matches , thereby initiating a 34-year career as a cricket commentator for the BBC.

He experienced some resentment from his colleagues in the commentary box at first, clashing with EW Swanton ; however, he rapidly found his niche. [2] [3] From 1946 until he retired at the end of the 1980 season, John Arlott covered every single home Test match. He only went on two overseas England tours, to South Africa in 1948–1949 and Australia in 1954–1955. Test Match Special Prior to 1957, BBC radio covered every home Test match, with Arlott normally one of the commentators, but it did not broadcast uninterrupted ball-by-ball commentary. Test Match Special (TMS) was launched on 30 May 1957, providing a full ball-by-ball Test Match commentary service on the medium wave service of the BBC Third Programme . The first match covered was the first Test between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston . The TMS commentators that day were John Arlott, Rex Alston and E. W. Swanton, with summaries provided by Ken Ablack , from the West Indies, together with Norman Yardley and Freddie Brown .

[4] When he retired after the Centenary Test against Australia at Lords in September 1980, he was the longest serving TMS commentator (since equalled by Brian Johnston in 1993 and subsequently exceeded by Christopher Martin-Jenkins ).[ citation needed ] Television commentary Arlott undertook some BBC television cricket commentary, primarily on the Sunday League in the 1970s. These John Player Sunday League limited over fixtures were 40 overs a side, and were usually played between 2.00pm and 6.30pm. Arlott commentated on the first 20 overs of each innings with Jim Laker usually covering the last 20. He also briefly wrote, directed and narrated a topical local series for the BBC called ABC of the South in the 1960s but radio was his true metier. Commentating style Arlott was a popular commentator partly because of his gift for poetic phraseology. The BBC commented that "the style of commentary owed much to the poet in John.

He would relish the phrases he used to describe what he saw and leave his colleagues wishing they could have thought of them," [1] while Wisden wrote: "it is his unique gift for cricket commentary which will bring him lasting fame... His commentary technique was strongly influenced by his poetic sense. With the economy of a poet he could describe a piece of play without fuss or over-elaboration, being always conscious of its rhythm and mindful of its background. He was never repetitive or monotonous, except for effect. The listener's imagination was given free rein." [2] One comment often noted was made in 1975, to describe a shot by Clive Lloyd as "the stroke of a man knocking a thistle top off with a walking stick." [1] On England's 1948–9 tour to South Africa, the England captain George Mann was bowled by his namesake Tufty Mann . Arlott memorably described it as "a case of Mann's inhumanity to Mann". [5] He also had the advantage of a distinctive voice. Frank Keating wrote of his "articulate, leisurely, confiding countryman's burr".

Keating also compared his stature as a radio journalist with those of Richard Dimbleby and Alistair Cooke . [6] His final Test Match Arlott's final Test commentary was on the Centenary Test between England and Australia at Lord's in 1980. At the end of his last session he concluded with his customary phrasing "nine runs off the over - 28 Boycott, 15 Gower, 69 for 2 - and after Trevor Bailey it will be Christopher Martin-Jenkins". At the end of the following over, a public address announcement that Arlott had completed his final commentary session prompted the crowd to give Arlott an ovation. The entire Australian team in the field and the two England batsman joined in, with Geoffrey Boycott even removing his batting gloves to applaud. Later that day, at the end of the match, he came onto the Lords balcony to present the Man of the Match award. When he appeared, the crowd below again burst into a spontaneous ovation that lasted for several minutes before he was finally able to speak and make the presentation to Kim Hughes .

[1] [2] Desert Island Discs Arlott was twice invited to appear on Desert Island Discs with Roy Plomley , in May 1953 and again in May 1975. [7] In May 1953 he selected Lord Lovel by Robert Irwin; Land Of My Fathers by Crowd At Wales V Ireland Rugby Match, 12 March 1949; These Foolish Things by Greta Keller and his Band; The foggy, foggy dew by Benjamin Britten ; Bella figlia dell'amore (from Rigoletto ) by Giuseppe Verdi ; Little Sir William by Benjamin Britten ; In Dulci Jubilo by Choir of King's College, Cambridge ; Symphony No. 7 In A Major by Ludwig van Beethoven ; and his luxury item was a second-hand bookshop. [7] In May 1975 he selected Melody in F major, Op.

3/1 by Arthur Rubinstein ; Mercy Pourin' Down by Edric Connor ; Kalinka by Don Cossacks ; Fern Hill by Dylan Thomas (his nominated favourite); To Lizbie Brown by Gerald Finzi ; Buttercup Joe by The Yetties Go Down You Red Red Roses by Burl Ives The Boar's by the Elizabeth Singers; and his luxury item was Champagne . [7] Writing and journalism Arlott was a stylish writer, contributing regularly as a journalist and also writing the occasional hymn . As his interest in wine developed he wrote a couple of books on that subject, he also wrote poetry, considering his best poem to be the one dedicated to Sir Jack Hobbs on the latter's 70th birthday.[ citation needed ] His career in journalism began with the Evening News in 1950. In 1955 he switched to the News Chronicle , where he stayed until the paper folded in 1960. He began reporting football matches for The Observer in 1958. He also wrote occasional articles for The Times . [8] Arlott joined The Guardian in 1968 as chief cricket correspondent, where he would stay until 1980.

[2] He was also asked to comment on football matches . He was assigned at his own request to cover the Manchester United v Red Star Belgrade European Cup match in Yugoslavia . At the last minute their chief soccer correspondent Donny Davies pulled rank and decided to go instead. The aircraft bringing back the team, officials and press crashed in what became known as the Munich Air Disaster and Davies was one of the fatalities. [9] Arlott finally stopped covering soccer matches in 1977 after a couple of violent post match incidents with hooligan fans. He became an early member of the Cricket Writers Club, founded in 1947, whose dinners in those days were lavish affairs and often held in liveried halls. Basil Easterbrook, chairman in 1965, recalled an attempt to ban drinking until after the AGM which used to precede the annual dinner. "There was much noise, calls for order and the singing of a ribald chorus of 'On Rosenwater's doorstep, down Leytonstone way' to the tune of Mother Kelly. Irving Rosenwater was a leading member at that time and some of the club's elder statesmen were angry enough to walk out.

John Arlott was the chairman at that meeting and, as was his custom, had taken the odd sip of wine. John tried hard to bring some order to the proceedings by banging the table with a spoon, but he missed the table." Well-versed in cricket history, Arlott was often viewed as a leading authority, especially on the literature of the game. He wrote annual reviews of the year's cricket books for Wisden for every year from 1950 until 1992, except for 1979 and 1980. He also wrote a well received appreciation of Neville Cardus for the 1965 edition. [2] He wrote articles on cricket art and history for the encyclopaedia Barclays World of Cricket.

[2] He had many books published, including: Of Period and Place, a book of poetry (1944); Indian Summer (1946); Concerning Cricket (1949); Maurice Tate (1951); Test Match Diary (1953); Vintage Summer (1967); Fred - Portrait of a Fast Bowler (1971); A Hundred Years of County Cricket (1973); John Arlott's book of cricketers (1979); Jack Hobbs: Profile of the Master (1981) and Basingstoke Boy: The Autobiography (1989). A Word From Arlott and Arlott In Conversation were published in 1983 and 1984 respectively as collections of his commentaries and writings. Arlott was the narrator and technical advisor for the documentary short film Cricket (1950).

Working abroad Ramchandra Guha , writes about the interaction John Arlott had with Vijay Merchant ; he describes Arlott's background with the "prejudices of a conventional British upbringing." In 1946, Arlott asked Merchant "whether in view of the ongoing sectarian violence, India really deserved independence. Should not the white man, he said, stay on to secure the peace?" Guha writes that "...Friendship with Merchant broadened his social and political horizons". [10] In 1948, he travelled to South Africa to cover the England cricket team's tour for the BBC, and openly voiced his distaste for the country's apartheid policy. [1] [2] , When asked to mark his race on an immigration form - whether "white, Indian, coloured, black", Arlott wrote "human". [10] [11] Arlott visited Australia during the winter of 1954-55, to cover the successful defence of The Ashes by the team led by Len Hutton .

The D'Oliveira affair Main article: D'Oliveira affair Basil D'Oliveira was a South African who was classified as a Cape Coloured by the apartheid regime and consequently he was ineligible to play first-class cricket . He wrote to John Arlott in the late fifties, after hearing his radio commentaries, because "his voice and the words he spoke convinced me he was a nice, compassionate man". He wanted help to find an opportunity to play professional cricket in England and Arlott finally got him a summer contract with Middleton Cricket Club in the Central Lancashire Cricket League in 1960. Arlott subsequently said that this was the achievement in his career of which he felt most proud. [12] After topping the Central Lancashire League batting averages in his very first season he subsequently graduated to the first class county circuit with Worcestershire in 1964. After acquiring British nationality the following year, he was selected to play for England, making his Test debut against the West Indies at Lords in June 1966.

During the 1968 Ashes series, D'Oliveira scored 158 on his recall to the England side in the 5th Test Match at The Oval, which seemed to make his selection for the winter tour to South Africa a certainty. However when the touring side was announced he was controversially omitted amidst allegations of South African political interference with the selection committee. Arlott was incensed and condemned the selectors' decision in his press articles and publicly stated that he would not commentate on any matches involving the South African team during their scheduled tour of England in 1970. Arlott received support from many people over his uncompromising stand, including future England captain, Mike Brearley , who called for the cessation of all South African tours and the Reverend David Sheppard , who had been one of the first players to speak out against apartheid and who had also previously refused to play against the 1960 South African touring side. However, John Arlott was subjected to some strong, not entirely unexpected, criticism from the English cricket establishment over his stance particularly by the former England captain Peter May , a former public school boy and Test selector, who wrote directly to him condemning the position that he had adopted.

When Tom Cartwright subsequently had to drop out of the touring side because of an injury, D'Oliveira was selected as his replacement, which led to the tour's being cancelled by the South African government. The subsequent South African 1970 tour to England was also cancelled and they were then ostracised by the other Test playing countries. South Africa were then officially excluded from Test cricket for 21 years until they were reinstatment by the ICC in 1991 following the South African government's legalization of the ANC and the release of Nelson Mandela . The Cambridge Union Debate Following the cancellation of the 1968 England tour by the South African government, the Cambridge Union decided to hold a debate on the motion "That politics should not intrude on sporting contacts". Former England captain Ted Dexter was invited to propose the motion, seconded by veteran all round sportsman Wilf Wooller who had skippered Glamorgan to their first county championship in 1948. Both of these ex-players were friends of Arlott. Opposing the motion were the incumbent minister for sport, Dennis Howell, seconded by John Arlott.

Arlott spoke passionately against the motion stating that "It is political commitment and political belief that can make a man think that his opponent's views are so obnoxious that he will abstain from playing any game with him as a protest against what the other man believes. Any man's political commitment, if it is deep enough, is his very personal philosophy and it governs his whole way of life, it governs his belief, and it certainly governs the people with whom he is prepared to mix." The motion was duly defeated by 334 votes to 160. Despite their opposing positions over the issue, Arlott was drinking with Wooller in the Cambridge Union Bar shortly after the debate had finished. Arlott maintained his strong views on the issue when 2 years later he came to an unprecedented agreement with the BBC, that he would be excused from commentating on the upcoming Test series against South Africa in England without prejudicing his future commentary role on Test matches against othe touring teams during subsequent years. However, the British government subsequently cancelled the tour over potential public order concerns at each Test venue.

A Rest of the World side, captained by Gary Sober and including 5 of the South African team, played a 5 match 'Test' series instead and Arlott happily rejoined the TMS commentary team to cover those matches. Friendship with Ian Botham This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability . Ian Botham: "I met John when I was 17 and took his picnic basket up to the commentary box. There were four bottles of Beaujolais in that basket. Being a cider-boy I thought wine was a namby-pamby drink. But I was gripped as John started talking to me, this dumb yokel, about wine. His command of English just rolled off him. He got out some cheese and said this goes best with that wine. 'Go on,' he'd say, have a taste.' Our incredible friendship started and he became my mentor. These days they call 'em life-gurus or some such crap."[ citation needed ] Botham also had a holiday home nearby in Alderney and during the last seven years of Arlott's life they often had two meals a day together when he was staying on the island.

"At six minutes past nine every morning the phone would ring. John would say, 'C'mon over — and bring your thirst with you.' At the end when the emphysema took over and he was struggling with speech he had an oxygen mask and I often had to empty his bag for him. But he liked me being there because I knew to wait and let him finish his sentences between gasps. I didn't try to say the words for him because I knew how much they mattered. That was strange for me - to be patient and quiet. But I always wanted to listen to John."[ citation needed ] On New Year's Day 1992, Ian and his wife instigated a family tradition of breaking open a bottle of Beaujolais alongside John's grave and toasting his memory. Presidency of the Cricketers' Association He was a great advocate of county cricket and its players. He became President of the Cricketers' Association in 1968, which aimed to raise salaries and improve the conditions of employment of the county cricketer. Wisden noted that "democratic views and wise counsel earned him much respect in the cricket world and among the players.

His moderation and tact helped in some tight corners, notably at the time of the Packer Affair , when he strove to keep the Cricketers' Association neutral." [2] The Master's Club John Arlott had developed a close friendship with Sir Jack Hobbs, who ran a sports shop in Fleet Street after his retirement from cricket. His admiration and respect led him to establish the Master's Club to honour the great man's birthday, on 16 December. The inaugural lunch was held in 1953 at a restaurant in Fleet Street and was attended by John Marshall (London Evening News), Kenneth Adam (BBC) and Alf Gover (Surrey). Membership of the club increased over the years and the annual lunch was eventually moved to the Long Room at The Oval . Despite the demise of all of the original members, it still thrives and continues to meet for lunch every year either on, or close to, Hobbs' 16 December birthday. In keeping with tradition, the lunch always consists of Sir Jack’s favourite meal, roast lamb followed by apple pie. Dream Desert Island XI John Arlott's dream team contained seven Englishmen, three West Indians and only one Australian.

The team in probable batting order was: Jack Hobbs , Mike Brearley , Vivian Richards , Learie Constantine , Ted Dexter , Ian Botham , Keith Miller , Wilfred Rhodes , George Brown (WK), Jim Laker and Wes Hall . The reserves were Basil D'Oliveira , Doug Wright , Leo Harrison (WK) and Frank Tyson . He didn't nominate a skipper but one might confidently assume, that amongst such august company, it would have been Mike Brearley's principal role in the side. He was also invited in 1981 to select his Best XI from players who, for a wide variety of reasons, were never capped by England. His team was John Langridge Sussex, Maurice Hallam Leicestershire, Emrys Davies Glamorgan, Edgar Oldroyd Yorkshire, Jack Newman Hampshire, Harry Martyn (WK) Somerset, Peter Sainsbury Hampshire, Wilf Wooller (Captain) Glamorgan, Don Shepherd Glamorgan, Charles Kortright Essex and Tom Wass Nottinghamshire. "The side bats down to No. 7.

There are seven bowlers...it has at least six good catchers and a number of cricketers of competitive quality and good temperament: and it would be good to watch." Wine connoisseur During a stopover in Sicily in 1949, on his return journey from South Africa, John Arlott discovered wine for the very first time at the age of 35. From that day forth he eschewed beer and spirits and devoted himself to cultivating his love of wine. The following year, after recommending some wine to John Marshall, the editor of the London Evening News , he was invited to write a weekly wine column for that newspaper and this resulted in invitations to press tours of French wine regions. In due course he became a connoisseur of wine and was often accompanied by some good claret to help lubricate his voice through a day of cricket commentating. He subsequently wrote a regular wine column for The Guardian newspaper and he also published two books, Burgundy Vines and Wines co-authored with Christopher Fielden in 1976 and Arlott On Wine in 1987.

Before retiring to Alderney , he auctioned his well stocked wine cellar containing many fine clarets, at Sotheby. Politics Arlott espoused strong liberal and humanitarian political views and he stood as the Liberal candidate for Epping in both the 1955 and 1959 general elections coming third in both years. He appeared frequently on the radio programme Any Questions? , on which panellists debate topical issues of the day. [13] Reviewing John Arlott: Cricket’s Radical Voice, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 to mark the twentieth anniversary of his death, Gillian Reynolds wrote in the Daily Telegraph of "Arlott’s independence, his Englishness, sense of fairness and justice, sympathy for the underdog and relish for the beautiful and the good". [14] Awards He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1970 New Year Honours . [15] He was made a life member of the MCC in 1980. [2] He won the Sports Journalist of the Year Award in 1979, and was Sports Presenter of the Year in 1980.

In June 1981 Arlott was also awarded an honorary degree by The Open University . His contribution to British radio is commemorated in The Radio Academy 's Hall of Fame. Personal life He was married three times. First to Dawn Rees (married 1940 - divorced 1958) where there were two sons, Jim (1944–1965) and Tim (born 1950). Secondly to Valerie France (married 1959 - died 1976) with a third son Robert, (born 1963) and finally to Patricia Hoare (1977–1991) who survived him. Arlott's eldest son Jim was killed in a car accident on New Year's Eve 1965, driving home late at night from Southampton in a sports car which Arlott had helped him acquire. This tragedy led to Arlott always wearing a black tie in remembrance of his dead son and in penance for his own role in the tragedy. On retirement he moved to The Vines on Alderney in the Channel Islands . His health was fragile and he suffered with chronic bronchitis.

He died in his sleep in the early morning on Saturday, 14 December 1991, and was buried in the island cemetery. Engraved on his headstone were two lines from one of his own poems (originally dedicated to Andrew Young ): "So clear you see those timeless things, That, like a bird, the vision sings". The John Arlott Memorial Trust The Princess Royal, as President of the Rural Housing Trust, gave a Reception at Buckingham Palace on 10 February 1993 to launch the John Arlott Memorial Trust in conjunction with the National Playing Fields Association. The Trust was a tribute to Arlott's memory in creating a fund to provide affordable village housing and recreational areas in some of England's 8,000 villages and it is now a national charity chaired by former newscaster Sir Trevor McDonald . The annual charity dinner is sponsored by the Rioja Wine Exporters Group reflecting his great fondness for that particular wine.

New Alresford Memorial At a ceremony on 21 June 2009, a plaque commemorating John Arlott's 20 years of living at the Old Sun in New Alresford , between 1961 and 1981, was unveiled by his sons Tim and Robert Arlott. The plaque was funded by The Cricket Society and the guest of honour, who cut the ceremonial cake, was his oldest friend Leo Harrison (then 87). This was followed by an inaugural local village cricket competition, with participating teams from Tichborne, Old Alresford, Ropley and Cheriton, for the annual John Arlott Cup. [16] Biographies Biography of Arlott, by David Rayvern Allen, was published in 1993 and it won The Cricket Society Jubilee Literary Award. A second biography, John Arlott, A Memoir, written by his son Tim Arlott, was published in 1994.

Memorable quotes by Arlott The Times newspaper in March 2006 published a list of 25 favourite sporting quotes - these two Arlottisms were included: Bradman out for a duck: "Hollies pitches the ball up slowly and ...he's bowled...Bradman bowled Hollies nought...bowled Hollies nought...and what do you say under these circumstances? I wonder if you see the ball very clearly in your last Test in England, on a ground where you've played some of the biggest cricket in your life and where the opposing side has just stood round you and given you three cheers and the crowd has clapped you all the way to the wicket. I wonder if you see the ball at all."1948 We have a freaker: "We have got a freaker [sic] down the wicket now, not very shapely as it is masculine, and I would think it has seen the last of its cricket for the day ...

he has had his load, he is being embraced by a blond policeman and this may well be his last public appearance - but what a splendid one!"1975 Other Arlott quotes "Australianism' means single-minded determination to win - to win within the laws but, if necessary, to the last limit within them. It means where the 'impossible' is within the realm of what the human body can do, there are Australians who believe that they can do it - and who have succeeded often enough to make us wonder if anything is impossible to them. It means they have never lost a match - particularly a Test match - until the last run is scored or their last wicket down."1949[15] "I'm going while people are still asking me why I'm going rather than thinking why doesn't he go." 1980 "In 1980, Trevor Bailey and the writer were largely responsible for a fresh cricket commentary noise, the popping of champagne corks.

The senior men and BBC representatives......have all been temperate men, not teetotallers but as a rule disinclined to take wine - or any other alcoholic drink - during the course of the working day....Latterly though, Brian Johnston has been coaxed round by way of Pouilly Fume to the occasional hock and now, fizz. The others have required little persuasion." 1981 "I owe almost everything to Neville. I remember reading 'The Summer Game' when I was in my teens. Suddenly, my eyes were opened to this semi-mythology of cricketers and always said to Neville that any success I had was due to the imaginative stimulus he gave me." – his view of Neville Cardus.

Memorable quotes about Arlott "The very personification of Cricket." Prime Minister John Major, 1991 "He was Cricket, there has never been a commentator like him and there never will be." Ian Botham, former England Captain, 1991 "I think that he spread the gospel about Cricket around the world more than anyone else." Brian Johnston, fellow commentator, 1991 "A man of deep humanity." David Frith, editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly, 1992 "He was generous with his time in the company of friends.

I once sat down to Sunday lunch with John, his family and some friends at two o'clock, and we did not get up from the table until ten at night." Mike Brearley, 1992 "Johnston provided the life, Arlott the soul." Paul Coupar writing about the history of TMS on its 50th anniversary 2007 References Commentators in cricket history – 4: John Arlott – the master - Cricket Country By Arunabha Sengupta | Updated : February 25, 2016 12:32 AM IST John Arlott had the unique power to weave the sights and sounds of the ground and far beyond in an intricate picture painted with words © Getty Images Policeman, poet, wine-connoisseur, author, part time politician, anti-apartheid spokesperson and renowned host of dinner parties — John Arlott, born February 25, 1914, was also the soul of cricket commentary for over three decades. In the fourth part of the series on cricket commentators, Arunabha Sengupta covers the career of the Basingstoke legend.

Cricket aficionados are well aware that in his last innings at The Oval, 1948, Don Bradman lasted just two deliveries. When he entered, the English captain Norman Yardley famously gathered his men and gave the greatest batsman to have played the game three rousing cheers. And then off the second ball he was bowled for a duck. So, how remarkable could a defensive push off the first ball have been? However, in the BBC box, Rex Alston had described Bradman’s entry into the ground and handed it over to John Arlott. And this is how the 34 year old commentator described it. “I am not as deadly as you are Rex, I don’t expect to get a wicket, but it’s rather good to be here when Don Bradman comes into bat in his last Test. And here’s Hollies to bowl to him from the Vauxhall End. He bowls, Bradman goes back across his wicket, pushes the ball gently in the direction of the Houses of Parliament, which are beyond mid off. It doesn’t go that far as that, merely goes to Watkins in the silly mid off.

No run.” John Arlott had the unique power to weave the sights and sounds of the ground and far beyond in an intricate picture painted with words. Once he had held the world of cricket lovers enthralled through a 20 minute phase while merely describing the covers being taken off. “A sound like Uncle Tom Cobleigh reading Neville Cardus to faraway natives”, as the poet, friend and collaborator Dylan Thomas put it. In many ways, his was not really the archetypical BBC voice. A heavy Hampshire drawl, often emphasised to bring out his uniqueness, took the traditionalists — Rex Alston among them — more than a while to get used to. Besides, he spoke from the purest recesses of his soul and never were emotions shoved away under the modulation of professionalism. When Bradman was bowled off the next ball at The Oval, he was as shocked as the next man and his words and tone reflected it across the wireless sets of thousands of homes. “Hollies pitches the ball up slowly and …he’s bowled…Bradman bowled Hollies … nought …and what do you say under these circumstances?

I wonder if you see the ball very clearly in your last Test in England, on a ground where you’ve played some of the biggest cricket in your life and where the opposing side has just stood round you and given you three cheers and the crowd has clapped you all the way to the wicket. I wonder if you see the ball at all.” It was this quality that led Paul Coupar to mention in the history of Test Match Special, “Johnston provided the life, Arlott the soul.” The Poet and the Policeman The career of this man, who was perhaps one of the most well read of his generation in spite of not completing high school, had started as far from the commentary box as imaginable. He had begun earning his wages a diet clerk at a mental hospital, and later became a member of the Hampshire police force. It was while he was still a policeman that Arlott communicated about his poetry with accomplished poet and broadcaster John Betjeman. Under Betjeman’s guidance he secured his first position in BBC in 1945, as the Overseas Literary Producer. The man he succeeded at the post was George Orwell.

During the first few years, and even when he had started doing regular cricket commentaries, Arlott kept producing literature programmes, and collaborated on several books and anthologies of poetry, including some of his own works. Cricket was placed on his plate as a rather lucky break and he lapped it up with wolfish appetite, leaving no doubt that he wanted a second and third helping and convert it into his staple diet. Arlott recalled later: “(at a planning meeting) In 1946, the head of the Eastern Service, Donald Stevenson, said, ‘Isn’t there an Indian team coming this summer?’ (in a rather distasteful tone) and I said, ‘Yes, there is.’ ‘Oh yes,’ he said, ‘I remember from your interview that you’re keen on cricket. When do they start?’ I said, ‘First Wednesday in May…in Worcester.

… (then) in Oxford.’ He said, ‘How do you know?’ I said, ‘Because I’ve got the fixture in my pocket.’ He said: ‘Have you ever done cricket broadcasts?’ ‘Yes,’ I said, stretching out the truth, because all I had ever done was a 15-minute talk about Hambledon.’ He said: ‘Would you like to do it?’ I thought someone had turned me upside down.” Thus began Arlott’s career as a commentator and lasted 34 years. His voice on cricket was first heard across the world in India, along with the Hindi broadcast of Abdul Hamid Sheikh. It was in fact the feedback and fan mail that reached BBC from the eastern part of the Empire that transformed Arlott into the regular voice of cricket. Wine and words That same season saw another first — that was to go on to be the singular feature of the Arlott home. He invited three cricketers for dinner — Vijay Merchant , Vijay Hazare and Vinoo Mankad . The Arlotts were soon faced with the strange problem of putting a spread in front of men who not only did not eat meat, but refused fish and eggs as well.

Whether it was because of this or not, Arlott soon became passionate about the intricacies of food and also developed into one of the biggest connoisseurs of wine in the land. The gourmet food on his table was thoroughly supplemented with the most extensive choice of wine – and cricketers from Denis Compton to Ian Botham thronged to the Arlott home, often inviting themselves on the way. Wine, in fact, was a passion that became associated with the Arlott persona. Not only did he write several popular books on the topic — he always carried a briefcase with a bottle of excellent claret and a set of wine glasses, always ready to entertain friends and cricketers. Yet, even with continuous flow the finest wine in the world, Arlott’s commentary standards never slipped from the highest pinnacles from the very first day. The poet in him brought forth bon mots which delighted the hearts and tickled the humour of several generations.

The brilliant moments When South Africa visited England in 1947, and the left arm spinner Tufty Mann had Middlesex and England batsman George Mann in all sorts of difficulties, Arlott described it as, “A case of man’s inhumanity to man.” Soon after that, he was on his first overseas assignment, in South Africa, a country with which he would go on to share a love-hate relationship. During the first Test at Durban, with an edge of the seat last ball finish in spite of bad light and rain, that left many nails chewed to the raw and knuckles cracked to the limits, Arlott’s wit, description and absolute honest engrossment in the game was aired in full.

Snippets of the last eight-ball over are produced below: - Two to win, that was the third ball – if this goes another five balls, there will be no commentator left… - The hills of North Durban completely hidden by rain… - Two to win … that hit him in the stomach, it was passing a foot over and 5000 people appealed and not one came off… - 127 for 8, neither of them tried the over throw, I don’t think either of them have sufficient nerve or sufficient wind, and I certainly have no wind at all… - Bouncer, goes past the leg-stump, and Wade’s attitude of prayer prevents it from going for byes… - He’s knuckled it and they’ve run and England have won … it belongs to a novel, not Wisden… this wicket now looks even worse that it did a minute ago with half Durban running on it. During the same tour, when asked to fill an immigration form with his race as “white, Indian, coloured, black”, Arlott wrote “human” — the first of his many confrontations with apartheid.

In 1954, when Compton was at his majestic and merciless best at Trent Bridge, Arlott was also in supreme vein. With the Pakistani attack being put to sword , here is how Arlott described the field. “Kardar seems to have about four fielders and seven missionaries. As they used to say in Victorian days, sent into distant fields. They’re still in Trent Bridge but only just.” And when the strike was rotated and Trevor Bailey played his characteristic forward defensive prod in the aftermath of Compton’s flurry of boundaries, Arlott summed it up, “After the Lord Mayor’s show, comes the dust guard.” Down the years, the voice of Arlott continued to ring through, bringing many memorable moments into the cricket loving homes. He was there when Jim Laker scalped 19 wickets at the Old Trafford, when Test Match Special was launched in 1957.

When Fred Trueman took his 300th wicket, getting Neil Hawke caught by Colin Cowdrey , Arlott remarked: “There was no nicer touch than Trueman congratulating Hawke.” Smiles wrought with tears Although he continued to broadcast, work as a columnist for various newspapers, publish numerous books on diverse subjects, and invite cricketers and literary figures to his famed dinners, Arlott’s personal life was going through a series of upheavals. In 1958 he went through a divorce after 18 years of marriage. This was followed by a miscarriage suffered by his second wife. However, the crushing blow was delivered in 1966 when his eldest son Jim perished in a car accident at the age of 21. The tragedy left the deepest vacuum in his life and heart — “there will be a well of sadness in me forever,” he wrote to his first wife, Dawn. Yet, even as the voice grew raspier with time, the humour continued to pour forth.

When confronted with the action of Pakistani fast bowler Asad Masood in the late sixties Arlott said: “He reminds me of Groucho Marx chasing a pretty waitress.” Apartheid Although he had thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality and the friendships developed in South Africa on his earlier visit, Arlott was staunchly against apartheid. According to him, all governments had their own share of rotten measures, but only two national policies were downright evil — holocaust and apartheid. In the late 1950s, Arlott had been instrumental in getting Basil D’Oliveira, the Cape coloured South African cricketer, a contract in Lancashire Cricket League. In 1970, D’Oliveira had unwittingly created a chasm in the world of cricket that was to force South Africa out of the game for 21 years. Guided by his strong personal ethics, Arlott refused to broadcast any game during South Africa’s scheduled tour. This statement received criticism from both the South African media as well as his fellow countrymen. Peter May, in particular, sent a stinging note condemning him for his stance. But, Arlott stood by his decision.

However, when a Rest of the World side, captained by Gary Sobers and including five of the South African team, played a five-match ‘Test’ series in England once South Africa was banned from international cricket, Arlott happily rejoined the TMS commentary team to cover those matches. More bon mots The 1975 World Cup final was one of his immortal days. He remained brilliant all through, remarking about ‘Umpire Bird having a wonderful time, signalling everything in the world.’, ‘the whole ground seething with leaping West Indian delight.’ However, the pinnacle was reached when Clive Lloyd pulled a ball from Gary Gilmour to the Mound Stand, and Arlott’s voice captured it as, “The stroke of a man knocking a thistle top off with a walking stick.” That same year, during the Ashes series, the first streaker was witnessed running into a cricket ground. Arlott mistakenly referred to the intruder as ‘Freaker’, but the description bore the stamp of his class and provoked spontaneous chuckles from his colleagues in the box, “We have got a freaker down the wicket now.

Not very shapely, and it is masculine, and I would think it has seen the last of his cricket for the day … he is being embraced by a blond policeman and this may well be his last public appearance – but what a splendid one!” One blow too many Life, however, kept balancing the light hearted spirit with one crippling blow after another. His much younger and beloved second wife, Valerie, passed away in 1976 at the age of 44. Arlott presented a brave front, but never really recovered from the shock. He refused to cut down his professional commitments, going on air and writing continuously about the game and other subjects. However, according to Mike Brearley, “The second loss increased his tendency to sadness.

The pleasures of life, of friendship, family, cricket, wine, food, poetry, were real enough, but even the best moments were tinged with an awareness of their eventual ending.” He continued to have his moments as in the centenary Test at Melbourne,1977: “Lillee setting a field of immense hostility… the crowd with sun and beer doing their work, appealing for quite significant non-events … seagulls on the top of the stands as vultures recruited for Lillee.” Later, when David Gower hit the first ball he faced in Test cricket for four, he hailed him with, “Oh, what a princely entry.” Yet, deep down he had turned clingy to his near and dear ones. When son Timothy went to Australia, Arlott ended Ashes broadcasts from England saying, “A nice evening to Our Man in Australia.” Farewell By 1980, he decided that it was time to go. The Centenary Test at Lord’s was chosen for the occasion of his farewell. The match was marred by rain, and yet, when there was no play, the conversation concocted was sparkling.

“I do wish that everybody could be entertained by the great dramatic presentation of Dickie Bird worrying about whether to have play or not.” However, his last bit of commentary was sans any flourish — crisp and businesslike. “Boycott pushes this away between silly-point and slip… picked up by Mallett at short third man … the end of the over … Nine runs off the over — 28 Boycott, 15 Gower, 69 for 2 — and after Trevor Bailey it will be Christopher Martin-Jenkins,” following which the entire box broke into applause. Christopher Martin Jenkins picked it up from there, “The applause — I am very lucky to have been on when John completed his last commentary and on behalf of the Test Match Special team and the audience I thank him very much indeed and could he open the bottle of champagne a little quickish.” At the end of the next over, following a public address announcement, the crowd gave Arlott an ovation. The entire Australian team in the field and the two England batsmen joined in, with Geoffrey Boycott even removing his batting gloves to applaud.

During his last days, Arlott retired to Alderney in the Channel Islands, and spent his time with his third wife, Patricia, among his books and his excellently stocked cellar, often visited by old friends, one of the most notable of them being Ian Botham. He passed away in his sleep in 1991. Engraved on his headstone are two lines from one of his own poems: “So clear you see those timeless things, That, like a bird, the vision sings”. Long time colleague and equally legendary commentator Brian Johnston summed up his life saying, “He spread the gospel about cricket around the world more than anyone else.” ( Arunabha Sengupta is a cricket historian and Chief Cricket Writer at CricketCountry. He writes about the history and the romance of the game, punctuated often by opinions about modern day cricket, while his post-graduate degree in statistics peeps through in occasional analytical pieces. The author of three novels, he can be followed on Twitter at ) Earlier Parts:

Question: As well as being a writer on cricket, John Arlott also wrote extensively about what?
Answer: Wine